Browns To Sign DT Tyeler Davison
Not long after trading for Deion Jones, the Browns are adding another former Falcons defensive starter. Tyeler Davison is joining Cleveland’s practice squad, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Although Davison will begin his Browns run on their P-squad, the team plans to promote the veteran starter soon. Davison, who has started 86 games with the Falcons and Saints from 2015-21, has not been with a team since his Atlanta release in March. The Colts auditioned Jones on Monday, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star tweets.
These Atlanta imports will arrive after Austin Ekeler shredded the Browns’ defense for 173 rushing yards in Week 5. A week earlier, the largely Cordarrelle Patterson-less Falcons used the ground game to hand the Browns a loss. Cleveland now ranks 28th against the run. The team lost second-year linebacker starter Anthony Walker against the Steelers in Week 3 and did not do much to add help at its needy defensive tackle spot this offseason, despite holding the NFL’s most cap space for months.
Davison, 30, will not eat into Cleveland’s cap room much, and he is a bit removed from his best seasons. Pro Football Focus viewed Davison as a plus run-stopper during the late 2010s but was not especially high on the veteran’s work during his final two Falcons seasons. Atlanta released Davison after decreasing his playing time last year. The 309-pound defender played 43% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps in 2021. While it represented a slight playing-time reduction, it was nearly in line with his previous starter years in the NFC South.
The former Saints fifth-round pick signed a three-year, $12MM Falcons deal during Dan Quinn‘s time in Georgia. The Falcons were running a 4-3 scheme at that point; the Saints ran a 4-3 set during Davison’s four-season New Orleans run. The Browns use a 4-3 scheme and moved on from their two primary D-tackles from last season — Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell — in the offseason. Davison may not supplant starters Taven Bryan or Jordan Elliott immediately, but he should provide a decent depth piece for a defense that features proven performers at every other position.
Panthers Fire Matt Rhule; Steve Wilks Named Interim HC
In a move which comes as little surprise at this point, the Panthers have fired head coach Matt Rhule, the team announced on Monday. Defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks will replace him on an interim basis.
Talk of Rhule being on the hot seat began at the onset of the 2022 season, his third with the team. It was at that point that he was able to make significant strides at both Temple and Baylor, leading to expectations that he would be able to do the same along a similar timeline in the NFL. Instead, the team has started the season 1-4, dropping his overall coaching record to 11-27. 
Offensive struggles have been at the heart of Carolina’s performances under Rhule. The team has ranked no higher than 24th in the league in scoring during his tenure, something which some hoped would turn around this season with the acquisition of quarterback Baker Mayfield and a return to health from running back Christian McCaffrey. The unit has underperformed in 2022, however.
That led to increased speculation that a mid-season firing could take place. Owner David Tepper had insisted on remaining patient with the 47-year-old, though, as recently as late September. Two losses since have been marked by further underwhelming performances, and reports of tension between Rhule and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. The fact that Mayfield played part of yesterday’s game against the 49ers on an injured left foot did little to help his or Rhule’s job security.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Rhule had the option to leave Carolina in favor of a return to the college ranks, but chose to stay. Now, he will likely be among the top candidates to fill a number of openings which currently exist at high-profile programs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds (via Twitter) that Rhule is still owed more than $40MM on the seven-year, $62MM contract he signed upon arrival in Charlotte.
With Rhule gone, the Panthers will move forward with Wilks heading the staff. A presence on Carolina’s sidelines from 2012-17, the 53-year-old spent the following season as head coach of the Cardinals. His tenure there lasted only one year, however, after the team went 3-13. The nature of his dismissal from Arizona led to Wilks joining Brian Flores’ ongoing racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and several clubs.
He spent 2019 as the Browns’ defensive coordinator, then one year removed from coaching. In 2021, Wilks was the DC at Missouri, before returning to the Panthers for this campaign. He will now have the remainder of the 2022 season to try and orchestrate a turnaround, while auditioning for the full-time role of head coach. On that point, Rapoport adds that Wilks will be given “serious consideration” for a permanent posting (video link).
The performance of Wilks and the rest of the team will now be worth watching over the coming months. Regardless of their ability to turn the season around, the Rhule era has officially ended after less than three seasons.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Maxx Williams
- Released: WR C.J. Board
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Kobe Smith
- Released: DT Christopher Hinton
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: S Jared Mayden
- Released: CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
Cleveland Browns
- Released: QB Josh Rosen
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Harvey Langi
- Released: TE Dominique Dafney
Houston Texans
- Signed: KC McDermott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Tino Ellis, DT Jaylen Twyman
- Released: CB Chris Steele, DT Markaviest Bryant
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Robert Foster
Rosen’s short stint with the sixth NFL franchise of his career has come to an end, for now. Rosen joined the Browns in the offseason and battled with Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond for backup positions behind temporary starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett while Deshaun Watson fulfills his 11-game suspension. Rosen lost out to Dobbs and Mond, eventually signing on to Cleveland’s practice squad, where he’s stayed until now. Rosen will likely continue to search for a team that he fits with, since he does not have to clear waivers as a vested veteran. It may behoove him to contact two teams he has a history with as both San Francisco and Miami have suffered injuries in their quarterback rooms.
Jaguars Place OLB K’Lavon Chaisson On IR
Former first-round draft pick K’Lavon Chaisson‘s struggles in the NFL will continue for at least another four weeks as the Jaguars pass rusher is headed to injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The LSU product is dealing with a meniscus injury suffered this past Sunday that was severe enough to warrant the extended time out. 
Chaisson has failed to catch on in the NFL after being drafted 20th overall in 2020. He got his most playing time as a rookie, appearing in every game and starting three. While he got five more starting opportunities in his sophomore season, Chaisson saw his snap usage plummet as, even though he started eight games, he was only on the field for over half of the defensive snaps in only two games all year. This year has seen his usage plummet even more. In four games this season, Chaisson has played more special teams than defense.
Chaisson had shown some flash of ability as a rookie. Despite recording only one sack, Chaisson got to the quarterback nine times and racked up three tackles for loss. In 2021, he was able to replicate his sack and tackles for loss totals, but only managed four quarterback hits. So far this year, through four games, Chaisson has failed to tally a sack, tackle for loss, or quarterback hit.
Chaisson’s waning usage is easily a result of the increasing talent of Jacksonville’s linebacking corps. No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker has played up to his value across the field from star defender Josh Allen and, after a breakout contract year in Atlanta, Foyesade Oluokun has continued to be a tackling machine. That’s not even mentioning that Walker faces some stiff competition for Defensive Rookie of the Year from his own teammate, inside linebacker Devin Lloyd. The talent-laden position group not only has Jacksonville as a top-five scoring defense but also has pushed Chaisson aside for more productive teammates.
Chaisson will be eligible to return from IR in time for a mid-November matchup with the Chiefs, but, if the injury shows any possible chance for long-term damage, the Jaguars may decide to hold him out through their Week 11 bye to give him a solid six weeks off. Regardless, Chaisson will be feeling the pressure once he returns. He will be heading into a contract year next season, but, with a $4.25MM cap hit in 2023, he may end up becoming a cap casualty before playing out the last year of his rookie contract.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/22
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: TE Miller Forristall
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: WR Kendall Hinton
- Placed on IR: T Garett Bolles (story), CB Ronald Darby (story), LS Jacob Bobenmoyer (story)
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Maurice Alexander
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Elijah Lee, K Matthew Wright
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Curtis Bolton, CB Javelin Guidry
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR: LB Calvin Munson
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed off waivers (from Saints): RB Tony Jones Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: LB Kenny Young
Young continues to struggle to find a long-term home in the NFL. After Baltimore drafted him and traded him in his second year to the Rams, it took Young over a full season with the team to earn a starting role. When he was finally starting on a consistent basis, Los Angeles traded him once again to Denver where he started six straight games before being inactive for the remainder of the year. Young signed in the offseason with the Raiders but was released ahead of roster cut deadlines. He signed to the Buccaneers practice squad days before the season started and was active for the last four weeks, only playing on special teams. He’ll likely land on another practice squad somewhere in the league, perhaps with one of his former teams as both Baltimore and Los Angeles have experienced some injuries to their linebacker depth.
Ravens Sign WR Andy Isabella To Practice Squad
OCTOBER 10: Putting an end to the confusion on this matter, the Ravens confirmed on Monday that they have indeed signed Isabella to the taxi squad. In a corresponding move, the team waived fellow wideout Bailey Gaither.
OCTOBER 9: SI’s Howard Balzer tweets that the Ravens have not, in fact, signed Isabella at this time. No agreement has been reported between he and any other team, though, so the underwhelming WR may still end up in Charm City. Regardless, this situation will be worth monitoring over the coming days.
OCTOBER 5: It didn’t take long for Andy Isabella to find his new squad. The free agent wideout will be signing with the Ravens, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). He’ll be joining Baltimore’s practice squad, per Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (on Twitter).
Isabella was a second-round pick by the Cardinals back in 2019, and he spent his first three-plus seasons with the organization. After finishing the 2021 campaign with only one reception and starting the 2022 season with a pair of catches, the receiver was waived by Arizona earlier this week. He ultimately went unclaimed, allowing him to sign with any squad.
The 25-year-old figured to be a popular name on the free agent circuit, but that was mostly due to his draft stock and remaining potential. The wideout showed a bit of a promise during his first two seasons in the NFL, when he hauled in 30 receptions for 413 yards and three scores in 28 games. Isabella also had brief cameos in the return game.
In Baltimore, he’ll likely have to fight for reps. Even if you ignore the Ravens’ running backs and tight ends, the team still has plenty of receivers who deserve snaps, including Rashod Bateman (who is questionable for this weekend) and Devin Duvernay. Isabella will join a depth chart that also features Demarcus Robinson, Tylan Wallace, and James Proche.
Panthers Fire DC Phil Snow
The Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule earlier today, but he wasn’t the only member of the team’s staff to receive his walking papers. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow has also been let go, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 
The 66-year-old has been a longtime lieutenant of Rhule’s. The pair worked together at Temple and Baylor from 2013-19, making it little surprise that they were both hired by the Panthers in 2020. That move marked only the second NFL gig for Snow, who spent four years on the Lions’ sidelines from 2005-08.
During his two full seasons in Carolina, Snow was tasked with overseeing a defense which added a plethora of young pieces. In the 2020 draft, the Panthers notably used each of their selections on defense, a class led by defensive tackle Derrick Brown. That year, the team ranked 18th in the league in both points and yards allowed. Significant improvement was seen last season, as Carolina climbed to second in terms of yardage.
That shifted attention to the offensive side of the ball with respect to improvements in 2022. The Panthers’ inability to find sustained success in the passing game in particular stressed Snow’s unit even more than usual, leading to below-averaging rankings across the board. As a result, Snow will join Rhule in seeking new employment. The same is also true of special teams assistant Ed Foley, who likewise has ties to Rhule (Twitter link via Joe Person of The Athletic).
In the aftermath of Rhule’s dismissal, some wondered if interim HC Steve Wilks would assume defensive play-calling duties. Instead, it appears that responsibility will be given to Al Holcomb, Rapoport tweets. The 51-year-old spent five seasons as the Panther’s linebackers coach before following Wilks to Arizona in 2018. That tandem lasted just one season in the desert, as the team finished with a 3-13 record. Now, though, they will have the opportunity to resume their respective roles as they look to right the ship in Charlotte.
Browns Acquire LB Deion Jones From Falcons
OCTOBER 10: Per the terms of the deal, which is now official, Atlanta will send Jones and their 2024 seventh-round pick to Cleveland for the Browns’ 2024 sixth-rounder. A statement from Falcons GM Terry Fontenot reads in part, “We thank Deion for the impact he has had over his seven seasons in Atlanta and wish him the best in his career.”
OCTOBER 9: Deion Jones‘ time in Atlanta has come to an end. The Falcons are trading the Pro Bowl linebacker to the Browns in exchange for late-round draft compensation (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). ESPN’s Jake Trotter tweets that the teams will swap Day 3 picks in 2024.
The 27-year-old has long been the subject of trade talk, given the size of his contract. Rapoport notes that Cleveland will absorb the remainder of his deal, though they will be on the hook for a 2022 base salary of only $1.14MM, due to a recent restructure.
Still, the fact that another three years remained on Jones’ deal with cap hits of over $13MM this year, and more than $20MM next, makes this another successful financial move from the Falcons’ perspective. The team will incur a dead cap charge of $12.14MM in 2023, per Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). For the Browns, the fact that no guaranteed money remains after 2022 made this acquisition a feasible one.
Jones is currently on IR, as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. When he is able to take the field, though, he will add a veteran presence to a Browns LB corps which lost Anthony Walker for the season. Jones – who has topped 100 tackles in all but one of his six seasons in the NFL, and notched 11 interceptions – has plenty of pedigree in both the pass and run game.
This move marks one of several financially-driven transactions for Atlanta. The team is already eating a record-breaking dead cap charge from quarterback Matt Ryan, in an effort to carve out space beginning in 2023. This trade will help accomplish that goal, though it still represents an underwhelming end to the former second-rounder’s tenure with the only franchise he had played for. In Cleveland, a team with greater 2022 aspirations and which, Rapoport notes, was looking to be active on the trade market, Jones will look to rebuild his value and contribute on a highly-regarded defense.
Cardinals Release TE Maxx Williams
OCTOBER 9: Williams has not, in fact, been released yet, per SI’s Howard Balzer (Twitter link). General manager Steve Keim acknowledged that the TE is “banged up,” however, suggesting that an agreement is in place between player and team to keep him in the fold, potentially via the practice squad.
OCTOBER 7: The Cardinals are cutting ties with Maxx Williams. Early in his fourth season with the team, the veteran tight end received his walking papers Friday.
Williams re-signed on a low-cost deal (one year, $1.27MM) this offseason after having played with the franchise throughout Kliff Kingsbury‘s tenure. The Cardinals retained both Williams and Zach Ertz this year and drafted Trey McBride in the second round.
Early in his eighth NFL season, Williams had played 17% of Arizona’s offensive snaps. He does not have a reception through four games. Because the trade deadline has not passed, Williams’ vested-veteran status will send him straight to free agency. Williams could conceivably come back on a practice squad agreement, but for now he is off the team.
A Ravens second-round pick in 2015, Williams topped out in receiving production (32 catches, 268 yards) as a rookie. Teams have still valued the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, with the Cardinals signing him to three contracts since 2019. Williams, 28, caught 39 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns during his three-plus-year Arizona run.
Williams has made multiple IR trips since coming to the desert, however. He missed nine games in 2020 and 12 last year. A major knee injury shelved him midway through last season, and while the Cardinals brought him back, they made multiple long-term tight end commitments since that injury. Ertz re-signed on a three-year deal in March, and McBride is locked in through 2025. Seventh-year veteran Stephen Anderson rounds out Arizona’s active-roster tight end contingent.
Commanders C Chase Roullier Likely Out For Season, Restructures Contract
Commanders center Chase Roullier is likely done for the season, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported earlier this week (via Twitter). Roullier played in only eight games last season due to a fibula fracture, so this is an especially disappointing development for player and team.
It was the fibula injury, suffered in Week 8 of the 2021 campaign, that landed Roullier on the PUP list at the start of this year’s training camp. The Wyoming product was able to suit up for the 2022 opener, but he went down with a serious injury to his right knee — which John Keim of ESPN.com reports is a torn MCL — in the waning moments of Washington’s Week 2 loss to the Lions. He underwent surgery on the knee on Thursday.
A starter since his rookie year in 2017, Roullier established himself as a quality blocker over his first few professional seasons, with Pro Football Focus consistently awarding him high marks for his pass-blocking prowess. 2020 was his best year yet, and he earned a four-year, $40.5MM extension in January 2021. Unfortunately, after appearing in 46 of a possible 48 regular season games from 2018-20, it looks like Roullier will have appeared in just 10 of a possible 34 games from 2021-22.
He will, however, get a little extra financial security despite the injury. In order to carve out some much-needed cap space, the Commanders have converted $4.5MM of Roullier’s base salary into a signing bonus, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The transaction gives Washington an additional $3MM in cap room.
PFF graded Washington’s O-line as the sixth-best unit in 2020 and 2021, but that group is facing some serious hardship this year. The Commanders lost longtime right guard Brandon Scherff in free agency and tried to replace him with veteran Trai Turner. Turner, though, missed most of training camp with a quad injury and was replaced by Saahdiq Charles during the club’s Week 4 loss to the Cowboys due to poor performance.
Meanwhile, Roullier’s replacement, Wes Schweitzer, sustained a concussion one week after Roullier’s injury and has been placed on IR, so the Commanders will deploy recent acquisition Nick Martin at the pivot for at least a few games. Furthermore, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports that right tackle Sam Cosmi underwent surgery on his right thumb on Tuesday and will miss an undisclosed amount of time.